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Coronavirus live updates: fifth death confirmed in UK, as head of New York's airports tests positive Coronavirus live updates: fifth death confirmed in UK, as head of New York's airports tests positive
(32 minutes later)
With cases spiking sharply across Europe and emergency measures in place from California to Saudi Arabia, investors have sent shares tumblingWith cases spiking sharply across Europe and emergency measures in place from California to Saudi Arabia, investors have sent shares tumbling
Israel will force anyone arriving in the country, from any part of the world, to self-isolate for at least 14 days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced. The government has already imposed some of the most stringent rules globally to block the spread of the virus.The move has also been interpreted domestically as a measure to avoid irking the country’s close ally and benefactor in Washington, Donald Trump. Israel already requires travellers arriving from more than a dozen countries to spend two weeks in home isolation, effectively killing off incoming tourism.Following outbreaks in the US, pressure had been building to add the country to the list. But rather than extending the rules specifically on US travellers, and risk an angry backlash from the White House, Israel broadened its policy out to the entire planet.Netanyahu spoke with US Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday, after Israeli media reported the country was considering barring visitors from parts of the US, such as New York and California.Health authorities have said that the number of coronavirus cases in Israel jumped from 25 to 39 over the weekend. Around 80,000 Israelis are already in self-isolation. US authorities are planning a flight tomorrow to repatriate Britons on the coronavirus-hit Grand Princess cruise ship.
The UK Foreign Office issued the following statement:
Chinese authorities reportedly scrambled to move people out of quarantine hotels, which need safety inspections after the deaths of at least 10 people in a collapsed hotel.
Joanna Davison, an English teacher, and her partner were suddenly placed in enforced isolation in Shenzhen after a ferry trip about 10 days ago. On Thursday, she told the Guardian she endured a “terrifying” experience as five people in hazmat suits came to test them at her home before they were whisked to quarantine.
But their period in isolation has taken a new twist after a transfer to another hotel. “We were sitting on the bed and noticed orange speccy marks,” she said.
“We soon realised it was bed bugs and we were moved into the room next door. But the moment we came into the second room we lifted a corner of the sheet and a live bed bug ran across the sheet, then we found another one under the pillow.”
They were moved to a third room, but also found blood marks resembling those created by bed bugs. “Clearly the whole hotel is infested with bed bugs,” she said.
The couple have four days remaining in quarantine at Yinglun hotel in Shenzhen, but they don’t want to risk sleeping in the bed.
“We’ve been sitting on the table and window sill, avoiding fabrics, asking for help because there is nothing else we can do,” Davison said.
“It’s hard to know who to be most frustrated with. Everybody here is just doing their job. They can clearly see this is ridiculous but they can’t offer us a solution.
“Our school is saying they could deliver us some pesticide or send a mattress. It’s really sweet but is this what it has come to? It’s a farce.”
At the previous hotel, she had been passing the days practising yoga, reading and watching the sitcom Parks and Recreation, but she has spent her time at the new lodgings demanding another room while taking videos of the mess and lice.
The hotel has offered the couple a “final deal” to remove the pillowcases and sheet, but cannot provide another double mattress. It has threatened to separate the couple into different rooms if they do not accept. “I think it’s just a threat,” Davison said. “Be quiet or we’ll separate you.”
Twenty-three people remain missing after the five-storey hotel in Quanzhou, about seven hours from Shenzhen in southern China, collapsed on Saturday.
According to Davison, this led to an assessment of all other quarantine hotels amid fears of others falling down. “Ours needed a full inspection,” she said. “I’d questioned whether smoke alarms were working as there were guards smoking beneath the sensors.
“I was also told the electricity was extremely unable, which is why we could not have a fridge in our room. The whole building is being inspected today after it was abruptly emptied.”
Health authorities in Guangdong province have fiercely guarded against “imported cases” of coronavirus, after a 35-year-old man from Shenzhen who had been working in Bristol tested positive this month after flying from Heathrow to Hong Kong.
It was unclear whether he became infected in the UK, but Chinese authorities said two of the patient’s colleagues in Britain had reported coughs and fever.
Iraq has banned all public gatherings and called on citizens to avoid visiting sacred cities and sites to stop the spread of the virus.
Authorities also called on Iraqis arriving from Iran, China, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Kuwait and Bahrain to stay at home for self-quarantine for 14 days.
Israel will force anyone arriving in the country, from any part of the world, to self-isolate for at least 14 days, The prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced. The government has so far imposed some of the most stringent rules globally to block the spread of the virus.The move has also been interpreted domestically as a measure to avoid irking the country’s close ally and benefactor in Washington, Donald Trump. Israel already requires travellers arriving from more than a dozen countries to spend two weeks in home isolation, in effect killing off incoming tourism.After outbreaks in the US, pressure had been building to add the country to the list. But rather than extending the rules specifically on US travellers, and risk an angry backlash from the White House, Israel broadened its policy out to the entire planet.Netanyahu spoke to the US vice president, Mike Pence, on Sunday, after Israeli media reported the country was considering barring visitors from parts of the US, such as New York and California.Health authorities have said the number of coronavirus cases in Israel jumped from 25 to 39 over the weekend. Approximately 80,000 Israelis are in self-isolation.
Here are the main points from the press conference held by Boris Johnson. He was joined by Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser.Here are the main points from the press conference held by Boris Johnson. He was joined by Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser.
Ministers will within a fortnight advise anyone with a fever or a mild respiratory tract infection to stay at home for seven days, Whitty revealed. He said that the government was not giving out this advice now, because the chances of someone with a fever now having coronavirus are very low, he said. But he said that would change very quickly. Soon the number of infections would rise “really quite fast”, he said. He went on: Ministers will within a fortnight advise anyone with a fever or a mild respiratory tract infection to stay at home for seven days, Whitty revealed. He said the government was not issuing this advice at present, because the chances of someone with a fever now having coronavirus are very low, he said. But he said that would change very quickly. Soon the number of infections would rise “really quite fast”, he said.
He went on:
This advice is likely to have huge repercussions for workplaces across the country.This advice is likely to have huge repercussions for workplaces across the country.
Johnson stressed that it was important for the government not to implement its delay and mitigating measures too early. He said:Johnson stressed that it was important for the government not to implement its delay and mitigating measures too early. He said:
He sounded more defensive on this point than he was when he held a press conference last week, reflecting the fact that the government is starting to face criticism for allegedly being too complacent. He sounded more defensive on this point than he was when he held a press conference last week, reflecting the fact that the government has been accused by some of being too complacent.
Johnson said that he was no longer shaking hands. Last week he was still shaking hands, but he said at today’s Commonwealth Day service he was advised against this. He explained: Johnson said he was no longer shaking hands. Last week he was shaking hands but he said at today’s Commonwealth Day service he was advised against this. He explained:
Whitty refused to comment on suggestions that 2m people might be hospitalised. He said figures like this were “largely speculative”. Whitty refused to comment on suggestions that 2 million people could be admitted to hospital. He said such figures were “largely speculative”.
Whitty said that from tomorrow the government would start screening everyone arriving at hospital with a respiratory illness for coronavirus. Until now people have only been screened if they are in intensive care and have coronavirus-type symptoms, he said. Whitty said from tomorrow the government would start screening everyone arriving at hospital with a respiratory illness. Until now people were screened only if they were in intensive care and had coronavirus-type symptoms, he said.
Vallance said the aim of the measures to be introduced by the government would be to lower the mortality rate of those in the at-risk group by 20 to 30%. But he said it would be wrong to try to “suppress” the disease completely because it could result in a winter outbreak at a time of maximum pressure for the NHS. He said: Vallance said the aim of the measures to be introduced by the government would be to lower the mortality rate of those in the at-risk group by 20 to 30%. But he said it would be wrong to try to “suppress” the disease completely because it could result in a winter outbreak at a time of maximum pressure for the NHS.
He said:
A fifth patient in the UK has died after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England has confirmed.A fifth patient in the UK has died after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England has confirmed.
In a statement on behalf of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, chief executive Daniel Elkeles said: In a statement on behalf of Epsom and St Helier University hospitals NHS trust, the chief executive, Daniel Elkeles, said:
In the last 24 hours the number of deaths from coronavirus in Italy has risen from 366 to 463, officials have said on Monday. In the past 24 hours the number of deaths from coronavirus in Italy has risen from 366 to 463, officials have announced.
Some 7,985 people are now infected – 1,598 more than Sunday. The total number of cases stands at 9,172. Some 724 have recovered from the illness. They said 7,985 people were infected – 1,598 more than Sunday. The total number of cases is 9,172; 724 have recovered from the illness.
Italy is considering to extend closure of schools in the country until 3 April. Italy is considering extending the closure of schools until 3 April.
The UK government has announced it will work with local authorities to extend the hours that deliveries can be made to supermarkets and other food retailers to help the industry respond to the coronavirus.The UK government has announced it will work with local authorities to extend the hours that deliveries can be made to supermarkets and other food retailers to help the industry respond to the coronavirus.
The new measures would mean food retailers can increase the frequency of deliveries to their stores and move stocks more quickly from warehouses across the country to replenish their shelves. The new measures would mean firms can increase the frequency of deliveries to their stores and move stocks more quickly from warehouses across the country to replenish their shelves.
The announcement follows last week’s call between the British environment secretary, George Eustice, and leading supermarkets, during which the industry said a relaxation of curfews would help retailers respond to the increased consumer demand for some products, namely hygiene products and a limited number of long life items. The announcement follows last week’s talks between the British environment secretary, George Eustice, and leading supermarkets, during which the industry said a relaxation of curfews would help retailers respond to the increased consumer demand for some products, namely hygiene goods and a limited number of long-life items.
Current rules mean that deliveries are prohibited overnight so that vehicles don’t disturb residents. The government will temporarily relax the enforcement of restrictions to give greater flexibility. Current rules mean deliveries are prohibited overnight so vehicles don’t disturb residents. The government will temporarily relax the enforcement of restrictions to give greater flexibility.
Drive-through coronavirus testing is underway in a hospital garage lot in Seattle, NPR reports. Drive-through coronavirus testing is under way in a hospital car park in Seattle, NPR reports.
Employees at the University of Washington’s UW Medicine System can get tested without leaving their cars at the drive-through clinic if they have symptoms. Employees at the University of Washington’s UW Medicine Center can get checked for the virus without leaving their cars if they have symptoms.
The virus has already claimed 17 lives in the Seattle area and infected at least 83 people. The virus has claimed 17 lives in Seattle and infected at least 83 people.
In a briefing this afternoon, Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, gave the latest US coronavirus figures:In a briefing this afternoon, Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, gave the latest US coronavirus figures:
On the issue of testing, which has been held back by a production flaw in the initial version of the publicly issued kits, Messonnier said: “State and local public health labs across 50 states now have the capacity to test up to 75,000 people for Covid-19.”On the issue of testing, which has been held back by a production flaw in the initial version of the publicly issued kits, Messonnier said: “State and local public health labs across 50 states now have the capacity to test up to 75,000 people for Covid-19.”
Messonnier also gave this advice for caring for the elderly and vulnerable:Messonnier also gave this advice for caring for the elderly and vulnerable:
Residents recount to the Guardian’s Jon Henley and Lorenzo Tondo what it feels like to be in Milan, Italy’s financial and economic capital, during lockdown:Residents recount to the Guardian’s Jon Henley and Lorenzo Tondo what it feels like to be in Milan, Italy’s financial and economic capital, during lockdown:
Erika, 30:Erika, 30:
Natalie, a French woman who has lived in Milan for 30 years:Natalie, a French woman who has lived in Milan for 30 years:
Ryanair has announced it will suspend all domestic flights to red zones in Italy – from and to the airports of Bergamo, Milano Malpensa, Parma e Treviso. The suspension will start from midnight until 8 April.Ryanair has announced it will suspend all domestic flights to red zones in Italy – from and to the airports of Bergamo, Milano Malpensa, Parma e Treviso. The suspension will start from midnight until 8 April.
Pregnant women do not appear to be more susceptible to the consequences of coronavirus than the general population, and there is no evidence the virus can pass to a foetus during pregnancy, according to national guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.Pregnant women do not appear to be more susceptible to the consequences of coronavirus than the general population, and there is no evidence the virus can pass to a foetus during pregnancy, according to national guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The guidance says that, as a precautionary approach, pregnant women with suspected or confirmed coronavirus when they go into labour are being advised to attend an obstetric unit but their birth plan should be followed as closely as possible.The guidance says that, as a precautionary approach, pregnant women with suspected or confirmed coronavirus when they go into labour are being advised to attend an obstetric unit but their birth plan should be followed as closely as possible.
There is no evidence the virus can be carried in breast milk, so it is felt the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of coronavirus.There is no evidence the virus can be carried in breast milk, so it is felt the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of coronavirus.
The full guidance on Covid-19 infection and pregnancy can be found here.The full guidance on Covid-19 infection and pregnancy can be found here.
At the press conference Boris Johnson says he is no longer shaking hands. At his press conference last week, he said he was still shaking hands with people.At the press conference Boris Johnson says he is no longer shaking hands. At his press conference last week, he said he was still shaking hands with people.
When asked during his press conference about panic buying, Boris Johnson urges anyone thinking of stockpiling to “behave responsibly” and think of others.When asked during his press conference about panic buying, Boris Johnson urges anyone thinking of stockpiling to “behave responsibly” and think of others.
Back in Geneva, Dr Michael Ryan, the executive director of the WHO’s health emergencies programme, says the real tragedy and moral dilemma that healthcare workers will face in coming days if they do not have personal protective equipment is whether to treat a Covid-19 patient in front of them.Back in Geneva, Dr Michael Ryan, the executive director of the WHO’s health emergencies programme, says the real tragedy and moral dilemma that healthcare workers will face in coming days if they do not have personal protective equipment is whether to treat a Covid-19 patient in front of them.
He says:He says:
But he says China and South Korea have shown “an element of controllability”, which gives him hope.But he says China and South Korea have shown “an element of controllability”, which gives him hope.
His colleague Dr Maria Van Kerkhove says:His colleague Dr Maria Van Kerkhove says:
But she says there is an opportunity in countries which have had very few or no cases. She cites the example of Wuhan, the Chinese province at the centre of the current outbreak, and the “drastic action” in Singapore that has reduced transmission.But she says there is an opportunity in countries which have had very few or no cases. She cites the example of Wuhan, the Chinese province at the centre of the current outbreak, and the “drastic action” in Singapore that has reduced transmission.
She adds:She adds:
At the press conference in Downing Street, Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, has been speaking.At the press conference in Downing Street, Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, has been speaking.
He says soon coronavirus will spread “really quite fast”.He says soon coronavirus will spread “really quite fast”.
Within about 10 to 14 days the government will advise people with even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever to self-isolate, he says. But that is because by that point the chances of their having coronavirus will be much higher than they are now.Within about 10 to 14 days the government will advise people with even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever to self-isolate, he says. But that is because by that point the chances of their having coronavirus will be much higher than they are now.